US20070134079A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20070134079A1
Application number: US11/609,119
Authority: US
Inventors: Roy Rader; Steve Esslinger
Original assignee: Zero Zone Inc
Current assignee: Zero Zone Inc
Priority date: 2005-12-12
Filing date: 2006-12-11
Publication date: 2007-06-14
Also published as: CA2570932A1

Abstract

A cabinet includes a wall and a top coupled to the wall. The wall and the top cooperate to at least partially enclose a space. A removable component is disposed at least partially within the space and a bean is removably coupled to the top such that a portion of the beam is positioned outside of the space and the remainder of the beam is disposed within the space. An interconnecting member is connected to the beam and is removably connected to the removable component to move the removable component into and out of the space.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. sec. 119 to provisional patent application No. 60/749,661, filed on Dec. 12, 2005, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a cabinet that includes a component replacement system. More particularly, the invention relates to a cabinet that includes a component replacement system that allows for removal of a component, such as a compressor, from within a cabinet.

Compressor systems often include a compressor positioned within a cabinet or housing. In many constructions, the compressor is surrounded by other components and the cabinet is positioned such that access to the compressor, and other components, is significantly restricted. For example, the cabinet may be positioned in a corner such that only one or two walls are accessible. In such a position, replacement of the compressor can be difficult.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides a cabinet that includes a wall and a top Coupled to the wall. The wall and the top cooperate to at least partially enclose a space. A removable component is disposed at least partially within the space and a beam is removably coupled to the top Such that a portion of the beam is positioned outside of the space and the reminder of the beam is disposed within the space. An interconnecting member is connected to the beans and is removably connected to the removable component to move the removable component into and out of the space.

In another construction, the invention provides a cabinet that includes a base, a wall extending from the base, and a top disposed above the base and coupled to the wall. The base, the wall, and the top cooperate to at least partially enclose a space. A removable component is removably coupled to the base and is disposed at least partially within the space. A beam support is coupled to the top and a beam is removably coupled to the beam support such that a portion of the beam is positioned outside of the space and the remainder of the beam is disposed within the space. An interconnecting member is connected to the beam and is removably connected to the removable component to move the removable component into and out of the space.

In yet another construction, the invention provides a cabinet that includes a base, a wall extending from the base, and a top disposed above the base and coupled to the wall. The base, the wall, and the top cooperate to at least partially enclose a space. A condenser is coupled to the base and is disposed within the space. A compressor support is positioned such that the condenser is disposed between the compressor support and the base. A compressor is removably coupled to the compressor support and disposed at least partially within the space. A first beam support is coupled to the top and a second beam support is coupled to the top. A beam is removably coupled to the first beam support and the second beam support such that a portion of the beam is positioned outside of the space and the remainder of the beam is disposed within the space. An interconnecting member is connected to the beam and is removably connectable to the compressor to move the compressor into and out of the space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially broken away side view of a compressor cabinet and a component replacement system attached to a compressor;

FIG. 2 is a partially broken away side view of the compressor cabinet and the component replacement system ofFIG. 1 with the compressor removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the component replacement system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view of a portion of the component replacement system ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a trolley of the component replacement system ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following figures. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of arefrigeration system10 that may be employed in any large refrigeration application. The illustrated portion includes acabinet15 that houses acompressor20 and acondenser25. Thecondenser25 is positioned on alower level30 with thecompressor20 disposed immediately above. While not illustrated, tubes or pipes interconnect thecondenser25 and thecompressor20 as well as other components disposed within thecabinet15 or positioned outside of thecabinet15. Many of these components may interfere with the removal of thecompressor20. As such, generally, thecompressor20 must be lifted upward before being removed from thecabinet15. The weight of thecompressor20, difficult access to thecabinet15, height of thecompressor20, and interference of other components makes the task of replacing thecompressor20 difficult.

Thecabinet15 includes severallower beam members35 that extend around the lower portion of thecabinet15 and at least partially define thelower level30 or base on which thecondenser25 rests. In the illustrated construction, channel shaped beams are employed with other shapes (e.g., angle, box, I-beam, T-beam, and the like) also being suitable for use.Several side beams40 extend upward from thelower beams35 to at least partially defineside walls45.Panels50 attach to theside beams40 to complete theside walls45. While many beam shapes are well-suited to supporting thepanels50, channel or I-beams are preferred. In the illustratedconstruction fasteners55 extend through thepanels50 and attach thepanels50 to thebeams40. Of course, other constructions may include other attachment systems (e.g., welding, rivets, pins, etc.) For example, one construction positions an upward opening hook member on thebeams40 and a, downward opening hook on thepanels50. The two hooks engage one another such that thepanels50 hang on thebeams40.

Acabinet top60 includestop beams65 that extend around thetop60 to provide the necessary structural support for thecabinet15. In preferred constructions, thetop beams65 extend around the perimeter of thetop60 and also extend across thetop60 from the approximate midpoint of eachside wall45 to the approximate midpoint of theopposite side wall45.Panels50 may be positioned on top of thetop beams65 to completely enclose thecabinet15 and the components disposed within thecabinet15. Thus, thecabinet top60,side walls45, and thelower level30 enclose a space.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, acomponent replacement system70 includes a beam orrail75 attached to thecabinet15 using afirst attachment bracket80 and asecond attachment bracket85. Thefirst attachment bracket80 includes aflat plate90 having anaperture95 that extends through theplate90. Theplate90 aligns with one of thetop beams65asuch that afastener100 can extend through thebeam65aand theplate90 to couple theplate90 to thebeam65a, thereby defining a first rail attachment point. In other constructions, more than onefastener100 and/or more than oneplate90 is employed. In the illustrated construction, thetop beam65aextends in a direction that is substantially normal to therail75 and thefirst attachment bracket80 connects directly to thebeam65a. Of course other constructions could attach to a top beam that extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to therail75 or could connect to thetop beam65avia all intermediate part or extension. While afastener100 has been illustrated and described, other attachment means could be employed. For example, a U-bolt could extend under therail75 and around thebeam65ato facilitate attachment of therail75 to thecabinet15.

Thesecond attachment bracket85 includes afirst side plate105 and asecond side plate110 that include alignedapertures115 that extend through each

plate

105,110. Theplates105.110 align with anextension120 that is attached (e.g., welded) to anothertop beam65bsuch that afastener125 can pass through each of the

plates

105,110 and theextension120 to attach the

plates

105,110 to thebeam65b, thereby defining a second rail attachment point. As with thefirst attachment bracket80, other attachment brackets, methods, or systems could be used in place of the two

plates

105,110 illustrated inFIG. 3. In addition, thefirst attachment bracket80 could be used in place of thesecond attachment bracket85 or thesecond attachment bracket85 could be used in place of thefirst attachment bracket80 as desired.

With continued reference toFIG. 3, thefirst attachment bracket80 is permanently attached adjacent afirst end130 of therail75 and thesecond attachment bracket85 is permanently attached to therail75 between thefirst end130 and asecond end135 of therail75. This arrangement of the

brackets

80,85 allows therail75 to be completely supported at two points and extend in a cantilever fashion beyond the two

top beams

65a,65bto which therail75 is attached and outside of thecabinet15. In preferred constructions, the

attachment brackets

80,85 are welded to therail75. Of course other constructions may use fasteners, such as bolts or rivets, or other attachment methods to attach the

brackets

80,85 to therail75.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate one possible construction of therail75 that is suitable for use with the present invention. The rail is generally U-shaped and includes atop portion140 and twoside portions145 that cooperate to partially enclose a channel or arail space150. Each of theside portions145 includes anedge155 that is bent inward such that it extends toward thetop portion140. Each of the twoedges155 defines abearing surface160 that is disposed within therail space150. As one or ordinary skill will realize, different shapedrails75 are also suitable for use with the present invention. For example, in another construction, an I-shaped rail is used in place of theU-shaped rail75. In the I-shaped rail construction, the upper surfaces of the lower let of the I-shaped rail define bearing surfaces.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, thecomponent replacement system70 also includes an interconnecting member that includes atrolley165, a hoistmechanism170, and rigging175 such as a chain or a hook. Thetrolley165, illustrated inFIG. 5, includes aplate180, four rollers orwheels185, and twoshafts190 that couple thewheels185 to theplate180. Theplate180 includes at least onelower aperture195 that provides a connection point between thetrolley165 and the rigging175. In the illustrated construction, threelower apertures195 are provided.

Each of theshafts190 extends through an aperture in theplate180 such that the shafts are disposed above thelower apertures195. In the illustrated construction, theshafts190 arc fixedly attached (e.g., welded) to theplate180 and do not rotate. Or course other constructions may position a bearing in the apertures such that theshaft190 is able to rotate if desired. Eachwheel185 includes abearing200 that engages theshaft190 and allows thewheel185 to rotate about theshaft190 to which it is attached. Eachwheel185 is also independent of theother wheels185, thereby allowing independent rotation of thevarious wheels185 as may be necessary.

Theshafts190 andwheels185 are sized to fit within therail space150 such that thewheels185 are positioned in rolling contact with the bearing surfaces160. In this position, thetrolley165 is able to roll along the length of therail75 and is inhibited from moving out of rolling contact with therail75. As illustrated inFIG. 3, a channel stop in the form of an end bolt203 is positioned at thesecond end135 of therail75 to act as a stop and inhibit thetrolley165 from rolling out of therail75. Thefirst attachment bracket80 is positioned over the opening on thefirst end130 and also functions to inhibit thetrolley165 from rolling out of therail75.

The trolley arrangement is closely related to the rail arrangement. As such, in constructions that employ different shaped rails, different shaped trolleys are likely required. For example, a trolley that engages an I-shaped rail must be different from the illustratedtrolley165. As such, the trolley arrangement should not be limited to the examples described herein.

The hoist170 attaches to thetrolley165 to facilitate easy movement of the hoist170 along the length of therail75. In preferred constructions, an electrically powered hoist170 is employed. However, other constructions may include a manually operated hoist170. In the illustrated construction, the hoist170 includes ahook205 that engages thetrolley165 to attach the hoist170 to therail75. The rigging175 extends downward from the hoist170 and includes allend member210 that can be attached to thecompressor20 or other equipment to be removed. Actuation of the hoist170 moves theend member210 up toward therail75 or downward away from therail75 as desired.

In preferred constructions, therail75,trolley165 and hoist170 are stored in thecabinet15 or elsewhere in a non-operating position. To use thecomponent replacement system70, therail75 is removed from the storage position and is attached to the

top beams

65a,65bof thecabinet15. As discussed, two

fasteners

100,125 can be used to fully attach therail75 to the

top beams

65a,65b. Once attached, thetrolley165 is inserted into therail space150 through thesecond end135 of therail75 and the end bolt203 is positioned to lock thetrolley165 within therail space150. The hoist170 is then attached to thetrolley165 to allow the hoist170 to be moved into the desired position.

In use, the hoist170 is positioned over the removable component such as thecompressor20 or other component to be removed and the rigging175 is lowered to connect to thecompressor20. Thecompressor20 is disconnected from thecabinet15 and from any other components (e.g., sensors, tubing, pipes, etc.) that may be connected to thecompressor20. The hoist170 is then actuated to lift thecompressor20 upward to clear any other components or obstructions that may also be housed within thecabinet15. Thetrolley165 is then rolled to thesecond end135 of therail75 such that thecompressor20 is outside of thecabinet15. The hoist170 is again actuated to set thecompressor20 on the floor or onto a handcart or other transportation device. The process just described is then reversed to install a replacement or repairedcompressor20 in thecabinet15.

While the preceding description and illustrations discuss the use of thecomponent replacement system70 in conjunction with the replacement of acompressor20, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that thecomponent replacement system70 could be applied to many other components or systems that are commonly enclosed within acabinet15. For example, large oil pumps, small turbines or engines, generators, heat exchangers, and the like are often enclosed withincabinets15 and the present invention could be applied to thesecabinets15 to replace any or all of these components. As such, the invention should not be limited to compressor replacement systems alone.

Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a new and useful system and method for replacing a heavy component disposed within acabinet15. The constructions of thecomponent replacement system70 described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the invention.

Claims

1. A cabinet comprising:

a wall;

a top coupled to the wall, the wall and the top cooperating to at least partially enclose a space:

a removable component disposed at least partially within the space;

a beam removably coupled to the top such that a portion of the beam is positioned outside of the space and the remainder of the beam is disposed within the space; and

an interconnecting member connected to the beam and removably connected to the removable component to move the removable component into and out of the space.

2. A The cabinet ofclaim 1, further comprising a base, and wherein the wall, the top, and the base cooperate to completely enclose the space.

3. The cabinet ofclaim 1, wherein the top includes a first beam attachment point and a second beam attachment point.

4. The cabinet ofclaim 1, wherein the beam includes a channel adapted to movably receive the interconnecting member.

5. The cabinet ofclaim 4, wherein the interconnecting member includes a trolley that rollably engages the channel.

6. The cabinet ofclaim 5, wherein the beam includes a channel stop positioned to inhibit movement of the trolley beyond the channel stop.

7. The cabinet ofclaim 4, wherein the trolley includes a first pair of rollers that define a roller width, the roller width sized to fit within the channel.

8. The cabinet ofclaim 7, wherein the trolley includes a second pair of rollers spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the roller width such that the second pair of rollers fit within the channel.

9. The cabinet ofclaim 1, wherein the interconnecting member includes a trolley, a hoist, and rigging that interconnects the trolley, the hoist and the removable component.

10. A cabinet comprising:

a base;

a wall extending from the base;

a top disposed above the base and coupled to the wall, the base, the wall, and the top cooperating to at least partially enclose a space;

a removable component removably coupled to the base and disposed at least partially within the space;

a beam support coupled to the top;

a beam removably coupled to the beam support such that a portion of the beam is positioned outside of the space and the remainder of the beam is disposed within the space; and

11. The cabinet ofclaim 10, wherein the wall, the top, and the base cooperate to completely enclose the space.

12. The cabinet ofclaim 10, further comprising a second beam support coupled to the top, the beam support and the second beam support adapted to completely support the beam.

13. The cabinet ofclaim 10, wherein the beam includes a channel adapted to movably receive the interconnecting member.

14. The cabinet ofclaim 13, wherein the interconnecting member includes a trolley that rollably engages the channel.

15. The cabinet ofclaim 14, wherein the beam includes a channel stop positioned to inhibit movement of the trolley beyond the channel stop.

16. The cabinet ofclaim 13, wherein the trolley includes a first pair of rollers that define a roller width, the roller width sized to fit within the channel.

17. The cabinet ofclaim 16, wherein the trolley includes a second pair of rollers spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the roller width such that the second pair of rollers fit within the channel.

18. The cabinet ofclaim 10, wherein the interconnecting member includes a trolley, a hoist, and rigging that interconnects the trolley, the hoist and the removable component.

19. A cabinet comprising:

a base;

a wall extending from the base;

a condenser coupled to the base and disposed within the space;

a compressor support positioned such that the condenser is disposed between the compressor support and the base;

a compressor removably coupled to the compressor support and disposed at least partially within the space.

a first beam support coupled to the top;

a second beam support coupled to the top;

a beam removably coupled to the first beam support and the second beam support such that a portion of the beam is positioned outside of the space and the remainder of the beam is disposed within the space; and

all Interconnecting member connected to the beam and removably connectable to the compressor to move the compressor into and out of the space.

20. The cabinet ofclaim 19, wherein the first beam support and the second beam support completely support the beam.

21. The cabinet ofclaim 19, wherein the beam includes a channel adapted to movably receive the interconnecting member.

22. The cabinet ofclaim 22, wherein the interconnecting member includes a trolley that rollably engages the channel.

23. The cabinet ofclaim 23, wherein the beam includes a channel stop positioned to inhibit movement of the trolley beyond the channel stop.

24. The cabinet ofclaim 22, wherein the trolley includes a first pair of rollers that define a roller width, the roller width sized to fit within the channel.

25. The cabinet ofclaim 25, wherein the trolley includes a second pair of rollers spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the roller width such that the second pair of rollers fit within the channel.

26. The cabinet ofclaim 19, wherein the interconnecting member includes a trolley, a hoist, and rigging that interconnects the trolley, the hoist and the compressor.